I am in an 11 team roto auction keeper league (OBP in place of runs scored. $260 draft cap). My offense is best in the league placing top 4 in every catagory minus homers (7th). However, my pitching isn't exactly turning heads (8th overall). I am currently in 2nd place (1 point away from 1st).

Our league limits the number of waive moves you can use over the course of the season. I have 6 of my 10 moves remaining.

Here is my team. Keep in mind that there is not a bench, so all players are active at all times. DH's qualify as OF'ers. All FA pickups are given a $20 value. Players in parenthesis are replacement players that would require a waive to keep once DL'd player returns from DL. Releasing a replacement player does not cost me a move:

I am 0.5 runs away from catching 4th place in ERA (3.595). Same with WHIP (3rd place has a 1.254). I have several owners right behind me in both catagories. I only need another 3 strikeous to catch 2nd place and just 21 more to catch 1st. There is only 1 team within 30 strikeouts of me.

Wins and Saves are what is really puzzling me. I am 10 wins away from the middle of the pack (I only gain 2 points to get there). I am only 7 wins away from 3rd place in saves (3.5 pts).

Anthony Reyes is available. Should I drop either Hamels or Escobar for him? What makes the most sense for me? Anyone else have any insight on which direction I should take my team?

Last edited by Element on Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Escobar was hit real hard today by the D-Backs too. I guess I do have more faith in him than Hamels over the rest of the season though. But Escobar hasn't won a game in over a month. Hamels is definately more inconsistant.

I think whichever I don't dump now, I will drop when Gagne returns so that I can keep Otsuka. So perhaps the question could be, which one do I stick with over the next month & a half?

Given my placement in the standings, should I maybe move another starter for another closer? I'm losing faith in the Cubs and Dempster.

I was going to mention the tough times you are probably facing with your closer situation. It seems that Dempster and Gonzalez are getting about as many save situations as Hideki Matsui is getting at bats these days.

I would trust Escobar over Hamels because of his track record, and I do see the Angels getting better. They have started to put it all together and with a trade of Jeff Weaver and a promotion of Jered, the Angels might be able to get motivated again. I also see them getting a bat one way or another so escobar could see some wins.

A hamels for reyes would be a straight swap in value ($20) so it might be a better option. Escobar is nice and cheap at $4.

I would try and pull something for another closer, preferably one that plays for a good team. See any possible trade partners?

Actually, yes. Just a little bit ago someone posted the availability of Lidge, Street & K-Rod. He's in dead last by a mile and looking for freezes. As much as I love Michael Young, it may be time to part ways....

The owner in last place has Huston Street, K-Rod & Brad Lidge. He is looking for freezes for 2007 and is dealing his closers. I have been talking with him for a couple of days and were close to something like this:

I Give:

Michael Young $12, Curtis Granderson $5 & Ryan Dempster

I Get:

K-Rod, Rollins $13 & Kubel

I currently have Kubel. He's offering Reed Johnson, whom I have no need for since i an 1st in avg & obp by a lot. When I activate Thomas, he uses a waive on Johnson to add Kubel to his roster and this deal.

I don't really consider Granderson a 2007 keeper at $10, but Young is the tough one to get rid of here at $17. I like Rollins as a 2nd half player and there are a couple of points to be had in steals. The Angels should be better in the 2nd half, so K-Rod should get some more apperences.